Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 61: I don't know.

Inside the private room of Wumingju, everyone was drunk and in high spirits.

Wang Sheng put down his wine glass and casually brought up the topic: "Teacher Zhao, there's another role I think is particularly outstanding. It's the son-in-law, the boss who's a bit chauvinistic but not a bad person at heart. Do you think... Teacher Fan Wei would be suitable?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Benshan understood immediately and praised Wang Sheng, saying, "Hey! President Wang, you have a really sharp eye! Fan Wei? He's perfect! That brain, that physique, he's born to be a boss!"

He chuckled to himself, his tone filled with familiarity and certainty towards his old friend: "No problem, I'll take care of it. I'll call him right away. He's in Beijing right now working on a script, and when he hears it's a project from the Beijing Film Studio, and it's a gathering organized by you, Mr. Wang, he'll definitely be happy to go!"

Guo Da also nodded with a smile: "Fan Wei is a good actor. He is serious, competitive, and can play any role convincingly."

"that would be great."

Wang Sheng raised his glass with a smile: "With the strong support of all the teachers, it would be difficult for our play not to succeed!"

They chatted about some inside stories and anecdotes, and exchanged views on the current TV drama market, making the atmosphere even more harmonious.

……

An hour later, the group, who had drunk enough, walked out of the nameless house. The cool summer breeze made them even more tipsy.

Santana was already waiting at the door.

"Teacher Zhao, Teacher Guo, then it's settled. I'll have someone from the company contact you both tomorrow regarding the specific details." Wang Sheng shook hands with both of them.

"Alright! Take care, Mr. Wang!" Zhao Benshan said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Mr. Wang, we'll wait for news." Guo Da nodded.

Wang Sheng and Li Xiaoran got into the car.

The black Santana drove into the night.

Zhao Benshan and Guo Da stood by the roadside, watching the car's taillights disappear into the intersection ahead.

Guo Da took out a cigarette, handed one to Zhao Benshan, lit one for himself, took a deep drag, exhaled the smoke, and slowly said, "Benshan, this Mr. Wang is quite powerful at such a young age. He speaks and acts with impeccable skill, not at all like a young man who is only nineteen years old."

Zhao Benshan squinted at the traffic and nodded: "Yeah, he's someone important. In our line of work, we have to eat first before we can talk about art. I think it's a good idea to work with him, and it would be nice to make a friend."

"Yes."

Guo Da remarked with admiration, "And his eye for casting is truly exceptional. I think his idea for a Lunar New Year drama that he mentioned earlier has potential. During the Lunar New Year, who doesn't want to watch something lively and joyful?"

"We'll see what happens next. Come on, Lao Guo, I'll have the driver take you home."

After gaining fame and making money, Zhao Benshan bought a car and a house in Beijing, where he spends a significant amount of time each year.

"Then trouble you."

"Small things."

……

In the back seat of the Santana, Li Xiaoran nestled against Wang Sheng, holding his arm, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his arm.

Wang Sheng took out his Nokia 2110 and dialed his home number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered, and Zhang Xiulan's mother's voice came through: "Hello? Who is this?"

"Mom, it's me."

"Not coming back again?"

Zhang Xiulan said casually.

"OK."

"Be careful, I'm hanging up now, don't keep me from watching my TV series."

Li Xiaoran then leaned closer, almost touching Wang Sheng's ear, and whispered, "Auntie...didn't say anything, did she?"

She felt a little nervous and secretly pleased.

"No, I just said I understand." Wang Sheng put away his phone and grabbed her mischievous fingers with his other hand.

Li Xiaoran breathed a sigh of relief, then hugged his arm even tighter, pressed her cheek against his shoulder, and said in a sweet and innocent tone, "That's good, then will you come to my place tonight?"

The dazzling neon lights outside the window swept across her bright eyes, which were filled with anticipation and longing.

The two young people, having just tasted the sweetness of love, were intoxicated and wanted to be together all the time. Li Xiaoran, in particular, was in a phase of extreme infatuation and insecurity, hoping to keep Wang Sheng firmly by her side. Wang Sheng looked at her like this, smiled, and didn't reply, but simply said to the driver, Mr. Yang, "Mr. Yang, go..."

……

The next day, in the morning.

Wang Sheng arrived at the Beijing Film Studio and convened a brief meeting with the company's management team who were still working in Beijing to announce the establishment of the new department. He announced the creation of the Artist Management Department, with Li Tingting temporarily serving as the department head. He then announced that the company would soon launch its first TV series project, officially entering the film and television industry.

The general reaction to the establishment of the new 'Artist Management Department' was that it was a "market version" of the Beijing Film Studio Actors Troupe.

As for the TV series project, although everyone found it interesting, they didn't pay much attention to it.

These days, there are too many TV dramas that flop.

I guess Wang Sheng is plotting something again.

Li Tingting quickly contacted Zhao Benshan, Guo Da, and Fan Wei, who was summoned by Zhao Benshan with a phone call, and finalized the performance contract.

The contract terms were clear and the compensation was fair, so the three of them signed it very readily.

Zhao's salary is 100,000, Guo's salary is 50,000, and Fan Wei's salary is 20,000.

The film and television industry has not yet been heavily invested in by capital, and actors' salaries have not yet skyrocketed.

……

the other side.

Li Xiaoran also took some time to call her agent, Ding Xin.

Ding Xin is not only her agent, but also the owner of Xinbaoyuan Film and Television Consulting Service Co., Ltd., and Zhao Baogang's first wife.

"Sister Ding Xin, I have something to tell you." Li Xiaoran's voice was filled with excitement: "I've taken on a new role, a TV series, a project from Beijing Film Studio."

"Oh? That's great!" Ding Xin's voice was filled with relief on the other end of the phone: "What role? Who's the director? When does filming start?"

As she asked, she quickly filtered through recent project information from Beijing Film Studio in her mind, but she hadn't heard of such a TV series project.

"The role is quite good; it's the second female lead. The director and producer is Mr. Wang Sheng, the CEO of Shengying Media," Li Xiaoran said casually.

"Who?!" Ding Xin's voice suddenly rose, filled with incredulous surprise: "Wang Sheng from Shengying Media?! The Wang Sheng who makes wedding movies? He's organizing a TV series?"

"Yes, that's right, Sister Ding Xin." Li Xiaoran was a little confused by her reaction.

There was a full five or six seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. When Ding Xin's voice came through again, it was completely different, filled with unprecedented enthusiasm and urgency: "Xiao Ran! My dear Xiao Ran! You know President Wang? Why didn't you say so sooner! Oh my! He's a real dragon! When did you get in touch with him? How did you meet? What's your relationship like?"

A barrage of questions came at Li Xiaoran, leaving her unsure which to answer first.

She then vaguely realized that Wang Sheng's influence and status in Beijing's social circle seemed to far exceed her imagination. Even Ding Xin, who had considerable influence in the circle, lost her composure upon hearing his name.

"We met when we were filming the veil kiss ad."

Li Xiaoran explained vaguely, "The relationship... is not bad."

"Yeah."

Ding Xin slapped her forehead and said, "I forgot about the veil kiss ad you did..."

Huh?
Not quite right!
Ding Xinren, being in the industry, knew all too well what kind of men those were. She said, "Xiaoran, get along well with President Wang. He will definitely be the greatest benefactor in your life. If Director Zhao has any suitable roles in his new film, I will recommend you to him."

"Oh, thank you, Sister Ding Xin."

"It's alright, we're all just trying to make a living in the capital, we'll run into each other all the time."

In Ding Xin's view, what's a few minor supporting roles for Li Xiaoran? Building a good relationship is important, because who knows, she might need Wang Sheng, who is behind Li Xiaoran, to help her in the future. Besides, it's good to have another way to exchange resources.

"Eh?"

Ding Xin changed her tone and asked, "You're the second female lead? Then who's the first female lead?"

Lying in bed making a phone call, Li Xiaoran, with her long legs stretched out, looked confused and said, "I don't know..."

She hadn't really noticed that. Who's the female lead?

(End of this chapter)